Verizon to Sell 3G iPads with MiFi

[Paul Daniel Ash]

Apple announced today that Verizon Wireless and AT&T will both will begin selling 3G iPads in their stores on October 28. In an interesting twist, Verizon is bundling iPads with its MiFi mobile 3G hotspot device - which it's offering at a deep discount - and offering a new, cheaper data plan. Following close on the heels of rumors about an arrangement for Verizon to sell the iPhone, the news appears to indicate a closer working relationship between Verizon and Apple.

The Novatel MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot is a portable, battery-powered EV-DO radio with a wireless base station built into it that allows you to make "a personal Wi-Fi cloud" as Verizon's press release puts it. You can connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices, so you can also use it to connect your laptop on the go.. when you're not using your new iPad that is. Verizon claims that the MiFi 2200's rechargeable battery will give up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time.

Verizon's prices for its bundles are the same as the 3G iPad at AT&T:

• iPad 16 GB + MiFi=$629
• iPad 32 GB + MiFi=$729
• iPad 64 GB + MiFi=$829

Given that the MiFi retails for $269 without contract, this means that Verizon's cutting $130 off the price in order to compete with AT&T. A 1GB data plan is available without a contract for $20 a month, which is a pretty good deal compared to the normal $40 for 250MB and $60 for 5GB plans. Especially given that you get the ability to connect more than just one device to Verizon's much more widespread 3G network, this is should sell lots of iPads.

Source: AppleInsider

[Zokunei]

That was unexpected.

[zoso10]

Woah! Maybe all those rumors that have been circulating for years now about the Verizon iPhone are true.... nahh doubt it.

[jordanemmet]

WOW! Who expected this at all!?

A strategic partnership between Apple and Verizon, never thought we'd see the day. That's a great deal on data compared to the BS tiered data that AT&T offers..

[myworld]

may be this is new begging of VZ+Apple love....and we may get Red Iphone 5G next year..

[jordanemmet]

So does this mean AT&T will be offering that same data plan price to current iPad owners instead of 250mb for $15 and 2g for $25?

[cb22]

Where's the white iphone4????? lmao

[NessLookAlike]

The Novatel MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot is a portable, battery-powered EV-DO radio with a wireless base station built into it that allows you to make "a personal Wi-Fi cloud" as Verizon's press release puts it. You can connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices, so you can also use it to connect your laptop on the go.. when you're not using your new iPad that is. Verizon claims that the MiFi 2200's rechargeable battery will give up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time.

It's funny, watching the folks over at Engadget get hyped about the MiFi basically allowing internet connection tethering to multiple devices, which is something the iPad is totally in no way able to do at all ever, right? They've obviously never heard of MyWi. I was lucky enough to have had the good sense to pounce on AT&T's Unlimited Data $30/month deal when it came out, so I'm just riding the MyWi awesome (USB Tethering and 5+ wirelessly tethered devices) all the way to the bank.

Having said that, Verizon is charging $130 for the MiFi device (for a total of $630 for the iPad WiFi 16GB and MiFi device) and does 1GB/$20, whereas a normal iPad 3G runs for $630, can do REAL GPS, and AT&T does 2GB/$25 according to their website.

Why this isn't as good as so many people are hyping it:

• the lack of real GPS in the WiFi-only model is a deal breaker
• only getting half the data allowance from Verizon for the price
• the MiFi's lousy 4-hour lifespan compared to the iPad's 10

It's a good start on Verizon's part, but it's just not good enough.

[Truckerbear]

Shouldn't this read they will be selling the iPad Wifi NOT the 3G...

[soulthoughts]

Maybe all the Verizon rumors are true and all the Messany haters will eat crow.

[jdm.accord]

Why this isn't as good as so many people are hyping it:

• the lack of real GPS in the WiFi-only model is a deal breaker
• only getting half the data allowance from Verizon for the price
• the MiFi's lousy 4-hour lifespan compared to the iPad's 10

It's a good start on Verizon's part, but it's just not good enough.

Bingo. And I bet Samsung's Galaxy Tab team are on a bridge somewhere about to jump off upon hearing this news. US's two largest carriers having the iPad in store pretty much kills their tablet before it even arrives. It better be $299 or less to even have a snowball's chance in hell.

[SnowLeo]

Does anyone know if the indirect verizon retail stores will be able to sell the ipad?? My dad own 2 wirelesszone verzion franchise stores and I might just not have to take a loan out for college if my dad can sell the ipad.... and the verizon iphone. But if he cant sell either ill be f*cked!

[tkawika]

Yes, it does say 3G iPad in the above article, but when you read the source article from AppInsider is says iPad Wifi. Now lets flame the Modmyi writer!!! Just kidding...

EDIT: It actually says "Verizon will carry all 6 versions of the Ipad" but post only the prices of the WIFI model bundled with MIFI.

[SnowLeo]

Bingo. And I bet Samsung's Galaxy Tab team are on a bridge somewhere about to jump off upon hearing this news. US's two largest carriers having the iPad in store pretty much kills their tablet before it even arrives. It better be $299 or less to even have a snowball's chance in hell.

Nope $400 w/ 2 year contract $650 without. Maybe a wifi-only model they plan to eventually roll out will be cheaper (:

T-Mobile’s Galaxy Tab Price Gets Outed – $400 with Contract | AndroidGuys

[Poseidon79]

The horrible battery life with the MiFi is the deal breaker... plus that would mean you'd be carrying around three devices... your phone, your MiFi and your iPad. Eh. No thanks.

[alexevo]

Again, the killer here is CDMA which sucks battery life like no other. If it were a GSM 3G mobile hot spot then it would likely get around 7 or maybe even 8 hours of continuous connectivity.

[cranie]

OR go Virgin Mobile MyFi for 40.00 unlimited data and pay as you go with no contract

[Truckerbear]

These capped data plans are for the birds. I have an AT&T and Verizon plan and they both are unlimited. I don't abuse... but I wouldn't have a capped plan.

[zozodouce]

me i don't care what they do. i cancelled my at&t contract paid them ETF fees ,got my self a simple mobile sim card with a $ 40 plan no contract. save your self a bunch of money.sounds like a geico commercial hahahahah.

[dcgore]

I will stick with AT&T for my Ipad's service. VZ charges $20 for 1gb with 20 dollar overage after 1gb or $35 for 3GB. VZ is clearly more expensive